Athene's Prophecy (Gaius Claudius Scaevola Trilogy) by Ian Miller

continued, "So they can be the first Consuls and loot the Treasury. Tiberius's right on that. Those Senators couldn't give a pig's shit for Rome! No! Don't protest. I'll let you into a secret. Tiberius was more or less convinced you lot were probably the only real exception. You lot really think of the nobility of the Republic don't you?"
    "It was . . ." Gaius began.
    "Once upon a time, maybe, but by the time of my namesake, the taxes were looted to pay for election bribes. Or don't you agree?"
    "That's true," Gaius nodded.
    "We can't have that again," Caesar continued. "Now, just suppose you're right and I get to be Princeps , do you realize what would happen? No? Those scared shitless senatorial scum'll be plotting all the time, won't they?"
    "Our family won't!" Gaius replied.
    "You think you're old enough to run the family?"
    "I think I can persuade them," Gaius said, then added, "Anyway, Tiberius has just made me a family of one!"
    "And I'm running after your sister," Caesar replied.
    "Only if somebody molests her," Gaius pointed out, "and my guess is, knowing that you'd be after them, they'd be really stupid to try."
    "So you think they're all scared of me?"
    "They'll be scared of forcing you to take action on them," Gaius replied. "Most people admire you," he added, and hoped this was the right thing to say.
    It was. Caesar visibly preened himself a little, before saying, "You think so? Really? So the question now is, are you going to be useful? The problem is, how do I know you're not just another sycophantic little puff-cake."
    "When I get the chance I'll . . ."
    "Oh no you don't! None of this, 'when I get the chance'. Look, young Claudius. Believe it or not, I'd like to have people like you. You serve me well and I'll reward you, because I know you're not one of those senatorial shits, like the ossified Cincinnati. But you've got to prove yourself."
    "What do you wish?" Gaius asked. Today was getting more and more complicated by the instant.
    "You follow Tiberius' instructions, of course. But on your way, sooner or later you'll come across someone showing opposition towards Roman authority, and especially towards me. Show me you support me, show me you've got spine and that you're not just a little worm, show me you're clever enough to do something useful and you're not just another clod and yes, I promise I'll support you when I'm Princeps . I'll give you your path in the army, and you will serve me . . . yes, religiously. Do you promise?"
    "I swear to serve you religiously when you are Princeps ," Gaius replied, although he had no clear idea what could be done 'religiously'."
    "Then, my first military appointment is made," Gaius Caesar smiled. "Yes, I like that . . ." He turned and continued walking.
    Gaius watched Gaius Caesar stroll away, this time ignoring everyone.
    "Th that was v very clever, th the way you handled that."
    "Thank you," Gaius smiled, then added, "You had something to do with all that?"
    "N n not much," Claudius replied, "b but Tiberius does small things for me, f for father, really."
    "You still did things for me, so thank you."
    "C c come and have some fruit," Claudius waved towards a table. "I need an opinion."
    "I would have thought there were plenty of opinions around here," Gaius smiled.
    "Who'll tell you what you want to hear," Claudius spat. Not even a stutter, Gaius noted. Claudius paused, then said with a grin, "I w want to have y your opinion!"
    "Why mine?"
    "I n need to know who y you really are."
    "I see," Gaius said thoughtfully, then suddenly he pulled himself together. Libo's advice was just as sound now. Claudius might seem a fool, but he was a member of the Imperial Family, and he had the ear of Tiberius. In all probability he was rather more powerful than he looked, and in any case it could never hurt to have an ally in this family. He pulled himself slowly into a more soldier-like stance, and asked, "How can I help?"
    "H how good was T Tiberius?"
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